's another tough one. Let us see. Did he write The Fuel
of the Future?"

I shook my head, being ignorant.

"Or was it The Mustard Plaster in Pharaoh's Time?" Kibosh dreamily
pursued.

"What is the fuel of the future?" I asked.

"Pecan nuts. I am certain of that," answered Kibosh. "But whether he's
that one, or whether it's Lysander Totts----"

"Who is Lysander Totts?" I inquired.

"Another profound scholar, sir. Of Numa Pompilius University, New York.
But we've got them from all around--from Seminole, Florida, Oglethorpe,
Georgia, Lafitte, Louisiana, Sandys, Virginia, Graftsburg,
Pennsylvania--but you'll meet them to-morrow at Chickle University. All
profound scholars, sir. It was Totts, come to think of it."

"Think of what?" I asked.

"Pecan nuts," said Kibosh.

I should have been glad to learn the names of all my colleagues, and
what they had written, that I might be the better prepared to meet them;
but Kibosh could be sure only of Totts and his book; and Professor
Willows and Miss Appleby had not heard even of Totts, when I asked them
at lunch to enlighten me.

"What mattuh, suh?" cried Willows, cheerily. "They'll tell you quick
enough themselves why they're so famous."

At this remark Miss Appleby broke into much gayety.

"Got many words this mawnin', Professuh?" asked Willows of me; and I
retorted, with what should have been telling reproof, that I was not of
those who can improvise thorough work.

It was extraordinary how much this young man's remarks pleased Miss
Appleby. He was but a poor companion for the lovely girl; and when,
after lunch, he retired to slumber in his cabin (as he called it), I
took my seat beside her on the rear platform. She was most amiable, but
bade me first take down the shawl behind us. The cold blasts, she said,
had ceased. We talked for some time, and it was easy to see that under
proper guidance her mind would open to all befitting things. Not until
Professor Willows came out of his cabin and joined us, did I feel her
grow distant again. Without preliminary, he asked: "What does a man who
sits down on a sharp needle most resemble?" And, without waiting, he
answered, "A profane upstart."

Into such levity I could not possibly enter; I resolved to wait the
morrow, and the succeeding days of our convention at Chickle University,
for opportunities to exert upon this impressionable young girl my
wholesome influence.

We reached our destination during the forenoon of t